Why Do Teeth Need To Be Extracted?
Posted on: 25 May 2023
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Everyone knows the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth every single day since the goal is to keep your mouth healthy and clean. However, problems can arise from neglecting that care, which could result in needing to extract a tooth. Here is what you need to know about why this may need to happen so that you can keep up with all your at-home dental care and semi-annual cleanings.
Gum Disease
A common problem that sometimes results in tooth extraction is gum disease. Your teeth are attached to your gums, and your gums are attached to your jawbone, which creates a system that works together so that everything stays in place. What happens when you get gum disease is that the diseased gums will affect the jawbone underneath it, which leads to bone loss. Then there is nothing holding your tooth in place, and it becomes loose.
Your teeth are not going to be functional when they are barely hanging on, which is why your dentist typically recommends extracting them. You can then move forward with a permanent replacement solution, such as dental bridges, implants, or dentures.
Tooth Decay
Teeth may also be extracted due to untreated tooth decay. Cavities spread, and they can find their way into the root of the current tooth or spread to a nearby tooth. If the decay reaches the nerve of the tooth, an infection will form that will require a root canal to treat. Ignoring this problem can cause the decay to spread further into the tooth and eventually reach the root, which will permanently damage the tooth. You won't even be able to save it with a root canal at this point. The only option is for the tooth to be extracted so that the infection does not spread further.
Tooth Fracture
Sometimes a tooth must be pulled for a tooth fracture, which is when the tooth is cracked from the crown down to the root. A tooth cannot be saved at this point with a crown, because a crown can only fix damage to the tooth's crown. A crown will not reach the root of the tooth and prevent the inside from becoming infected. Pulling the tooth is the only option at this point in order to protect your oral health.
These are just a few reasons why you may need to get a tooth extracted. Contact your dentist for more dental care information.